PREP BASEBALL: Humphrey fired as R.E. Lee coach

Bobby Humphrey confirmed on Wednesday that he had been fired as the Robert E. Lee baseball coach after two seasons.

Humphrey led the Leemen to their first region berth in nine years this season after a third-place finish in the Southern Valley District tournament. R.E. Lee defeated Waynesboro in the district tournament’s consolation game 9-2 but fell to Rustburg 6-2 in the first round of the Region III tournament.

“I was just told they were moving in another direction,” Humphrey said. “That’s what I was told.”

In his two seasons as the Leemen’s coach, Humphrey led the team to 11 wins.

Humphrey said that he delivered the news to the team after he was notified by the R.E. Lee administration.

“Well it’s definitely going to be tough,” Humphrey said about not being able to coach the team next season. “The day I was told that I wasn’t going to be head coach, I told them to be quiet and don’t listen to the rumors and to be ready for the next coach. My hope is for the next coach to make the push for the kids who can pursue college like I did.”

Humphrey said that he didn’t ask in what direction Lee wanted to take the program.

“Yeah, I wondered, but I didn’t pursue that question myself,” he said. “I think they are heading in the right direction and they have built a good foundation.”

Humphrey said he will remain an employee in the Staunton City School system — currently he teaches fifth grade at Thomas Dixon Elementary.

A message left for Staunton City School Superintendent Steven Nichols was not immediately returned. R.E. Lee principal Mark Rowicki and Athletic Director Kaye Roberts could not be reached.